|
|
SupraVue
Collimated Display |
CRT refurbishment |
Relocation Support |
Instrument Repair |
Motion tool box |
SupraPan Projector Upgrade
|
Q4 MRP | SupraVue
WIDE Upgrade | Mirror re-skins and Mirror Washing |
Introduction to GERE
In
this day of COTS solutions it has become evident
that some OEM suppliers have developed upgrade
solutions that are still reliant upon proprietary
systems, and therefore the true benefits of COTS is
sometimes lost to the customer.
Q4 Services recognizes that their customers have made a
significant investment in applications software. Porting that software to a new computing platform is
traditionally expensive, time consuming, and involves
considerable technical risk. To provide an
upward-compatible migration path, Q4 Services has
developed with our partner companies the Gould
Encore Real-Time Engine. This comprises a
“Commercial Off-The-Shelf” (COTS) system environment
(hardware and UNIX/Linux based software)
Overview
of GERE
GERE simulates, in a software
environment, the 32/x7 or RSX computer
hardware, and runs the existing simulator
application software. GERE executes the
MPX-32 Operating System software and utility
programs like volume manager, assemblers,
compilers, and the user Application (Fortran
and Assembly) binary code, all running on a
COTS platform which produces the lowest risk
to cost host computer replacement
system.
Having the MPX-32 Operating
System run on a Virtual 32/x7 or RSX COTS
computer system allows for reuse of
unmodified legacy application software. |
GERE Virtual Computer Diagram |
As
validation of the Virtual 32/x7 or RSX fidelity, CPU
and memory diagnostics originally designed to test
legacy Gould 32/x7 or RSX computer systems, run
flawlessly in the replacement environment. This
demonstrates as a fully functional replacement
system, permitting 100% legacy application software
reuse.
The Buyer can develop new application
functions (e.g. TCAS, GPS, wind shear)
using Gould FORTRAN (in the legacy
MPX development environment) or ANSI FORTRAN, C, or
C++ using modern UNIX/Linux development tools. New
applications run in “native” mode in the COTS
processor environment for the best possible
performance.
The Gould Encore Real-Time Engine executes existing
application software in the same manner as on the
original SEL/Gould/Encore computer while retaining
inherent simulation timings. This is possible
because the deployed customer application code
remains intact.
The design philosophy behind GERE provides the
customer with a low risk solution that protects the
significant investment in simulator software loads
while at the same time addresses the need to
maintain grandfather rights to maintain
certification with federal offices.
GERE instances are configured on individual COTS
processors to support the MPX system environment.
Each GERE instance uses two (2) of the six (6)
timers on a PCI-based Real-Time Option Module (RTOM).
One (1) Timer API package is required for all the
PCI RTOMs on a system. Also included is a license
for Q4 Services native Real-Time Environment (RTE).
The UNIX-based DRTX component (host software) and
the MPX-based DRTX component (client software) are
supplied for each system.
System
Layout
GERE
Configuration
GERE uses a UNIX/Linux configuration data file (GERE)
to configure most of the system features at runtime.
Configurable elements include:
GERE features built-in parallelism that provides
threads for the 32/x7 or RSX simulation, delivering
true computational concurrency. There is one thread
for each of these elements:
-
CPU
-
IPU (if configured)
-
Clock handling
-
Each I/O device
Symmetrical Multi-Processor (SMP) architecture takes
advantage of this parallelism. The boot processor
handles all non real-time interrupts, vectoring only
real-time interrupts to the designated real-time
processor. This keeps the GERE CPU and GERE IPU (if
required) tasks bound to their own COTS processor,
shielded from unintended interrupts. This
segregation presents a virtual environment
indistinguishable to the legacy system, permitting
the highest-fidelity replacement solution.
Note: A single SCSI 9 track MTU is to provide
support for legacy tapes formats. It is not expected
that this device will be utilized and can be deleted
from the configuration if customer requires.
|
Hardware Layout
|
Figure 3 defines high-level
GERE (Virtual 32/x7 or RSX) programmatic
structure. This program flow illustrates the
software that generates a Virtual 32/x7 or
RSX computer environment, which runs a
standard MPX-32 Operating System and legacy
applications. The MPX-32 Operating System
and associated documentation remain exactly
the same as on today's 32/x7 or RSX
simulator computer system.
The GERE software reads the
"hardware" configuration file to determine
all of the 32/x7 or RSX attributes required
for this system. It then performs general
system initialization; loads UNIX/Linux
driver code and starts the system threads.
Threads include all console and control
panel interface functions and "wait/no-wait"
I/O interfaces. |
|
